Instructor:

Dr. Gary J. Wingenbach g-wingenbach@tamu.edu

Office Hours: By appointment; Call 862-1507. Schedule: Thursday, 5:00-8:00 p.m., 317 Scoates Hall. Prerequisite: ALEC 690 or similar Theory of Research course. Supplies: One flash memory stick.

1. Develop an online social science survey using *.asp code and interactive database technologies.

2. Design and construct textual/memo information fields.

3. Develop Likert-type questions and scales including reverse-coded items.

4. Create multiple-choice and T/F response sets.

5. Develop interactive elements: pop-ups, drop-downs, and graphics.

6. Identify a population of interest, sample, etc.

7. Post/publish one online survey research instrument.

8. Collect data, provide follow-up techniques, etc.

9. Analyze results; compare response rates.

10. Develop research paper for presentation/publication.

• Each week, you will click on the link that corresponds to that week's module (click here). You should review the module and its related materials before the class meets for that week. The objective is to have modules for each week posted by Friday of the preceding week.

• A PowerPoint slide show may be used to facilitate discussion during class; it is viewable in Adobe format and may include an online presentation. However, like all dynamic courses, the PowerPoint slide show will not serve as the alpha and the omega; each student is responsible for additional inquiry through self-directed processes.

• One of the benefits of a Web-assisted course is the opportunity to experience a multitude of materials on the Internet. Under the list of learning activities, you will find Web sites, journal articles, research papers, and other materials to be reviewed. In this class we utilize the power of the Internet. You are to visit each site listed in the learning activities and read or view the materials. For some materials, you will need to have the Acrobat Reader on your computer. If you don't have Adobe, it's a free download at Adobe, and will be indicated by the Adobe symbol . Materials that do not require Adobe will have the symbol and may be read as a regular Web page.

• The course utilizes e-mail for additional information and dialogue among course participants. You should check your NEO e-mail account weekly to ask/post questions and engage in dialogue with other class members. This is not in real time so you will need to drop in from time to time and add your contributions. Some weeks, there will be specific directions regarding the administration of this course. For more information regarding the NEO e-mail program, review the help section when accessing NEO.

Dillman, D. A. (2000). Mail and Internet surveys: The tailored design method (2nd ed.). New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

American Psychological Association (2001). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Bartlett, II, J., Kotrlik, J., & Higgins, C. (2001). Organizational research: Determining appropriate sample size in survey research. Information technology, Learning, and Performance Journal, 19(1), 43-50.

Ladner, D., Wingenbach, G., & Raven, M. (2002). Internet and paper-based data collection methods in agricultural education research. Journal of Southern Agricultural Education Research, 52(1), 40-51.

Lindner, J. R., Murphy, T. H., & Briers, G. E. (2001). Handling nonresponse in social science research. Journal of Agricultural Education, 42(4), 43-53.

Lindner, J., & Wingenbach, G. J. (2002). Communicating the handling nonresponse error in Journal of Extension research. Journal of Extension, 40(6), Article rb1. January 26, 2005, from http://www.joe.org/joe/2002december/rb1.shtml

O'Neill, B. (2004). Collecting research data online: Implications for extension professionals. Journal of Extension, 42(3). Retrieved January 7, 2005, from http://www.joe.org/joe/2004june/tt1.shtml

Rowe, G., & Wright, G. (1999). The Delphi technique as a forecasting tool: Issues and analysis, [Electronic version]. International Journal of Forecasting, 15(4) 353-375.

• Students must use NEO e-mail or departmental accounts only for this course.
• Active class participation is expected from each student during each meeting.
• As many as 10 individual project components (see syllabus) are expected in this course.
• A research manuscript will be produced in the course.

• Professionalism: There is no excuse for substandard work at the graduate level. You may have fantastic ideas, but if your work is substandard, colleagues will think your ideas are substandard too. Always let the quality of your work be an accurate reflection of your professionalism!
   
• Academic Integrity: Faculty and students at Texas A&M University have a responsibility to maintain academic integrity. Read about academic misconduct at: http://www.tamu.edu/aggiehonor/Student%20Rules/definitions.html. You should know your Student Rules.